Latest news with #HongikUniversity
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Korea Herald
20 years after restoration, stretch of Cheonggyecheon opens to public
Marking 20 years since its revival, Cheonggyecheon, an artificially restored stream running through central Seoul, opened its upper section to the public Wednesday, Families and tourists strolled along the section from Cheonggye Plaza to Gwangtong Bridge, which had long been off-limits, cooling off by dipping their feet in the water. Children turned the stream into a playground, splashing near the waterfall and stepping across the stones one by one. Visitors can access the stream's newly opened section daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through June 22, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Decades ago, the stream lay neglected and filled with trash beneath a highway. Restored in 2005, the 5.8-kilometer-long stream now stands as one of the city's most iconic landmarks, offering a summer oasis with bridges, waterfalls and lush greenery. At Seoul City Hall on the same day, experts gathered for the 2025 Water Seoul International Conference to explore Cheonggyecheon's 20-year legacy and the future of urban waterways amid the climate crisis. Meanwhile, a talk will be held Friday at Cheonggye Plaza, where Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Yoo Hyun-joon, a professor of architecture at Hongik University, will discuss the stream's past and future with citizens.
Korea Herald
05-05-2025
- Korea Herald
Artificial? Yes. Still, an urban oasis
Built from concrete and channeled water, Hongje Stream's waterfall isn't natural — but it's got enough vibe to pull in locals and tourists As you stroll along Hongje Stream in western Seoul, the gentle sound of flowing water grows with each step, while the breeze carries the scent of grass and spring flowers. These are signs that you're approaching the city's hidden oasis, where time slows and your thoughts fade simply by watching the water move. It is the "Hongje Steam Artificial Waterfall" in Seodaemun-gu, where water flows down a 25-meter-high, 60-meter-wide concrete structure built into the cliffs of Mount Ansan. On a breezy weekday afternoon in April, the human-made waterfall poured water into a pool below, where spot-billed ducks moved in slow, steady circles. At parasol tables on the sandy ground in front of the waterfall, visitors lost themselves in books, music or the sounds of water, each enjoying a quiet reprieve from hectic city life. 'I like just sitting here and zoning out while watching the waterfall,' said Kim Soo-rin, 25, a university student at Hongik University. 'It's nice to have a place close to home where I can enjoy nature without having to travel far.' The traffic noise from the ring roads above the stream was softened by the rush of water, turning the waterfall area into a quiet escape in the heart of the city. The Hongje Stream Waterfall was constructed as part of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's large-scale restoration project between 2006-2011 to revive the Hongje Stream, which ran dry in the mid-1990s as a result of rapid urban development. The city revived Hongje Stream by channeling water from beneath the Han River to the stream's upper section. From there, it flows naturally back to the river. The artificial waterfall along the stream operates by pumping groundwater through pipes to the peak of the structure, where it is released to flow downward, resembling a natural cascade. The water is then collected below and recirculated, allowing the waterfall to run year-round without relying on external sources. Each season gives the waterfall a new look. Spring surrounds it with blossoms, softening the concrete, while winter transforms it into a glassy ice sheet. A two-story cafe overlooking the artificial waterfall has also gained popularity among foreign visitors as an Instagrammable spot. Repurposed from an old parking lot and warehouse, Cafe Pokpo draws tourists with its outdoor terrace and large glass windows that offer panoramic views of the artificial waterfall. Since its opening in January 2023, the cafe had attracted 1.4 million visitors as of October 2024, according to the Seoul government. 'I didn't expect to find a waterfall in the middle of Seoul. It's pretty incredible," said Marie Schafer, a German traveler in her 30s. Next to the cafe is a small library called "Pokpo Chaekbang," which houses around 1,500 items, including books, periodicals, and multimedia resources. Visitors can enjoy reading with a full view of the waterfall through large glass windows. The space is open to the public at no cost. Meanwhile, a short walk across stepping stones toward the artificial waterfall leads to a tree-lined trail, where visitors encounter a large wooden waterwheel that reflects the restoration project's focus on sustainability and ecological renewal. As one of Seoul's emerging urban landmarks, the waterfall often serves as a hub for cultural programs. Earlier in April, Seodaemun-gu hosted various attractions around the waterfall, including food trucks, themed photo booths and a space-out competition. 'This area brings together the vibrancy of the city and the serenity of nature,' the Seodaemun District Office said in a statement. 'By organizing diverse cultural programs here throughout the year, we hope to make it a must-visit spot for both Seoulites and travelers from around the world.'
Korea Herald
12-03-2025
- General
- Korea Herald
Not so free: The irony of Korea's ‘free size' fashion
Free size in South Korean fashion is a label that fits the industry better than the consumer Choi A-ra, 24, entered university with a goal: to fit into "free-size" clothing. "In places like Hongdae or Gangnam Station's underground shopping centers, most of the pretty clothes I wanted to buy only came in 'free-size,'" she said. "Back in high school, I was overweight — 170 centimeters and 65 kilograms — so my goal was to lose 10 kilograms to fit into them." She reached her target weight. But even after losing nearly 10 kilograms, she found that free-size still didn't fit. "Dresses were often way too short. I could wear free-size T-shirts, but long-sleeve tops were tricky — the sleeves were always too short, and my shoulders were too wide," Choi said. She is not alone in her frustration. Kang, 32, said she no longer buys free-size clothing after several disappointing experiences. "I've tried several times. But since I am only 156 centimeters tall, they are often way too big for me," Kang said. What is free size? "Free size" is a Korean term for clothing that comes in only one size. It doesn't necessarily mean the fabric is super-stretchy or the design is loose enough to fit various sizes. While common in both online and physical stores, there are no set rules for its dimensions. Standard sizes like small, medium and large have recommended measurements set by the Korean Industrial Standards. For example, adult women's small-size pants are recommended to have a 58- to 69-centimeter waist and 80- to 88-centimeter hips, with 7 to 11 centimeters added as sizes increase. Even these guidelines, however, are often overlooked because they are not mandatory. For free size, no such standards exist. Kim Jin-young, a professor of textile art and fashion design at Hongik University and founder of the Korean clothing brand Dew E Dew E, said that sizes labeled as free size are often equivalent to a US small, or "size 55" in Korea. She attributed the prevalence of free-size clothing to simplified inventory management. "From a seller's perspective, the more size options available, the greater the inventory risk. To minimize this risk, many manufacturers have turned to producing 'one size' clothing," Kim said. "This trend became more prominent in the early 2000s with the rise of online shopping, as small businesses entered the e-commerce space and sought to reduce excess inventory." If a brand offers small, medium and large sizes, producing 60 pieces of an item would typically mean making 20 of each size, she explained. "But if all 20 smalls sell out quickly, a reorder would be necessary — even if the medium size remains in stock. This often leads to unsold inventory. By contrast, producing all 60 pieces in a single 'one size' option makes inventory management far simpler," she said. A 2014 study published in The Korean Fashion and Textile Research Journal stated that "since Korean women in the 55-66 size range make up the largest share of the market, businesses reduce inventory costs by standardizing production to a single size. As a result, it leaves consumers to navigate the ambiguity of what 'free size' means." The social impact YouTuber Jina The Gorgeous has explored Korea's free-size fashion through her videos, where she tries on various outfits. While she typically wears a US size 4-6, she often struggles to fit into Korea's one-size clothing. Jina, who grew up in Korea, said she never expected the clothes to fit her perfectly, knowing the country's sizing system. She also talked about the cultural pressures that often marginalize women with larger frames in Korea. Now living in the US, Jina said she has learned to embrace a broader range of body types. 'I've come to understand that one size does not fit all. I no longer feel triggered by Korea's 'free size' clothing because I've learned to accept my body,' she told The Korea Herald. 'Interestingly, while I'm considered small in the US, I'm labeled extra large in Korea. It took me a long time to transition from Korea's beauty standards to a more inclusive mindset in the US.' However, for many in Korea, such a mindset is difficult to adopt. Professor Kim pointed out that the lack of standardized and varied sizing can be problematic. "Many Korean women, feeling that they don't fit into the 'free size' label, may perceive themselves as overweight or flawed," she said. "Rather than questioning the size system, they internalize self-blame about their bodies. This mindset could contribute to the rise of cosmetic surgery, dieting and even addiction to diet pills." Many in Korea share this concern. 'Sometimes tiny pieces of clothing are labeled free size. I am not bothered by it anymore now that I know free-size is not for me. But I think young girls would more easily be affected by it and think they are fat," Choi said. Also, in 2020, an online petition was posted on the Blue House's official website titled "Please enact a law related to clothing size standard." "It is difficult to purchase clothing because sizes vary from store to store, and now there are ambiguous sizes like free size and one size," it stated. "To resolve these difficulties, please enact a 'domestic clothing size standard law.'" In response, an official from the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards explained, "KS regulations are not mandatory, so they cannot be enforced. They only provide guidelines for clothing manufacturing." They added, "Manufacturers can make various sizes depending on the material and design. If the government interferes with this, we believe it could stifle brand creativity."
